Former Multnomah County chair Jeff Cogen suffers stroke

Jeff Cogen, former chairman of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, suffered a stroke last week, his brother said Thursday.

Cogen, 55, had a moderate stroke Friday resulting from an injury to his neck, according to a statement from Mitch Cogen, his brother. He was taken to a hospital Saturday morning and has been medically stabilized, Mitch Cogen said.

Cogen's neck injuries were likely a result of riding bumper cars in Seaside, which he did the weekend before his stroke, his brother said.

Cogen is in a rehabilitation program, his brother said.

"We are optimistic that he will make a complete recovery and return fully to the things he loves most — his family and friends and helping Portland-area residents in need," Mitch Cogen said in a statement. "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support that Jeff has received, and we ask that people respect his need for privacy as he focuses on his recovery."

Cogen is the executive director of Impact NW, a nonprofit that provides education and social services to low-income people. He joined Impact NW in 2015 and was named executive director in 2016.

Cogen was the county chair from 2010 to 2013. He resigned after an 18-month extramarital affair with a county manager led to concerns about conflicts of interest. After an investigation, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum chose not to file charges against Cogen.

Before he was county chair, Cogen founded Portland Pretzel, a certified organic bakery.